Four Spring Tips For Fairfax Seniors
Great Ideas To Help Your Senior Loved Ones This Spring
Sunnier days, and warmer temperatures in Fairfax will reinvigorate your zest for outdoor fitness. Spring is the perfect time to get outside and exercise! Here are our tips for spring-inspired exercise ideas for seniors as well as quick health and fitness tips to remember:1. Try Something New! Spring is the season of rebirth and rejuvenation so let it inspire you to step outside the box and try something new. When it comes to outdoor exercise for seniors, the ideas are plentiful:
- Go swimming at a natural spring or watering hole
- Take a bike ride with friends
- Go hiking or camping
- Get your jig on by dancing - Zumba, square dancing, you name it!
- Throw a frisbee or fly kites in the park with your grandkids
- Garden at home or pitch in at a community garden
- Participate in a charity walk-a-thon
- Volunteer at a river or park clean-up
- Take an outdoor yoga class
- Try a new water sport like paddle boarding or kayaking
2. Stay Hydrated! Decreased fluid intake and even a diminished sense of thirst are commonly exhibited by older adults due to physiological changes which accompany aging. When you’re out and about taking part in spring activities, however, it is critical to stay hydrated and replace the fluids you lose through sweating.
Seniors should try and carry a reusable water bottle around with them when possible, or set reminders on your smartphone or clock, even when you’re at home so you are alerted to stay on top of your hydration. Eating water-rich fruits and veggies like cucumbers, spinach, and watermelon can also help you get enough fluids throughout the day.
3. Protect Your Skin! More sun exposure can be great as your body converts sun rays into vitamin D, however, UV radiation can also increase your risk for developing skin cancer. Did you know that the average age at which someone is diagnosed with skin cancer is actually 63?
With so many seniors at risk of developing melanoma, it’s critical to follow sun protection guidelines. Apply sunscreen with an SPF 30+ to your body when spending time outdoors; and wear protective clothing and accessories like long-sleeve shirts, hats, and sunglasses. Remember to stick with light, breathable materials like cotton that won’t overheat you.
4. Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet! Don’t let your health fall victim to a disorganized medicine closet. Devote some spring cleaning time to this commonly messy area and clean out empty boxes and bottles, expired medicines, and old prescriptions you no longer use. Remove any personal information and recycle what you can, and make sure to follow the directions on packages for properly disposing of medicine in the trash or down the toilet. There may even be a drug take-back event coming up near you, click here for more information.
Source: https://seniordirectory.com/articles/info/5-spring-health-and-fitness-tips-for-seniors
Need help getting your senior outdoors or organized? Call us we can help.
BrightStar Care of Fairfax, VA provides in home care for seniors in Fairfax, VA. To schedule an in-home consultation with our Registered Nurse Director of Nursing, contact BrightStar Care of Fairfax at (703) 267-2380.